The Painted Monasteries in the Southern Bucovina - Essay Example

VISUAL ARTS AND FILM STUDIES (Painted Monasteries: The Voronet Monastery) Introduction The Painted Monasteriesare in the southern Bucovina, in northern Romania. Most of the Painted Monasteries have been nominated by UNESCO as World Heritage site. They are all situated in remote places surrounded by farms and a nice countryside. While some monasteries can be accessed by public transport, all of them are accessible through private tour. “A wad of 1 leu notes, a few cigarette donations combined with a little patience will get you within the walking distance of the monastery of your choice” (Rodley, 88). Personal perspective Pilgrims and the wicked unite in their appreciation of the arresting beauty of painted monasteries. According to Tapon (pg 30), the painted monasteries are found in the southern Bucovina, in northern Romania. They are one of the most interesting attraction features in Romania. Many of painted monasteries have the unfamiliar distinction of being painted on the inside wall as well outside walls. I was surprised to learn that there is more to the country than folklore about vampires and Communist architecture. The fact is; despite the interest and the background knowledge of an individual-I included-the paintings of the Monasteries are well worth seeing. From the maps, you will be tempted to conclude that most are situated next to a town with the same name, but this does not always happen as argued by Rodley (pg 65). Several houses were built next to the road that leads to public transport, therefore it is not in order for me to call them towns. Apart from their small sizes, these areas are all very beautiful. If you want to feel and see the real beauty of the monasteries, it is worth spending few hours in each place. I would recommend renting a car to stroll around easily: in 2 to 3 days will be able to enjoy each and every place in a more proper way. While fortresses and castles, medieval towns and the ever thriving Bucharest are all many reasons to take a trip to Romania, the painted Monasteries should be should be the first one in the list of any person who love and appreciate art. Historical perspective The Romania monasteries are known for their magnificent painted walls as seen in the picture below. Frescoes were completed in the 15th and 16th centuries, and they are famous for their extensive detail. They are considered the “magnum opus” of Byzantine art and in addition they attract both regular tourist and art buffs alike. There are many monasteries in Romania that are characterized by these features, but perhaps the most remarkable is the Voronet Monastery. They represent several scenes and images, which include images from the life of Jesus, depiction of heaven and hell and portraits of saints. Exceptional in Europe for their extensive, vibrant colors, how they have survived, many historians and art-lovers makes several trips to Romania to see these wonderful structures. In 1993, the painted monasteries were named UNESCO World Heritage sites. This followed their historical importance and complicated detail. The Voronet Monastery is always called the Sistine Chapel of the East because of exterior and interior paintings it has. Technical perspective The giddying, scope and detail of the Voronet Monastery fills every reasonable square centimeter of the external Western wall. “These walls have been roundly declared as the most interesting and marvelous Bucovine fresco. Just like any of existing Monastery paintings in Romania, the Voronet Monastery painting is something of a miracle” (Vorhees, 19). Voronet Monastery painting pigment is only 2 millimeters thick, making the lasting sturdiness of the frescos easier said than done to explain. With the exemption of the Voronet’s northern wall, which has absorbed the impact of centuries of Romania’s elements, the external frescos remain unbelievably vibrant. The northern wall represents Genesis. The southern walls comprise of tree of Jesse with the lineage of biblical personalities. The photograph was taken using a much digitalized camera that makes it clear and more balanced. The most important part of photography is to be sensitive to natural light. Looking at the picture below, you will realize that a brilliant sun found a hole in the clouds and lighted the monetary from the side hence making the entire picture glow. The color in the picture creates the sense of history, place and emotion about Romania tourism sector. Additionally, the photography used Adobe Camera Raw, comprised with Photoshop CSA and Photoshop element that ensure that the image is high quality. Ethical Perspective The Monastery paintings are a true reflection of an ethical art. The monastery paintings are framed as western frames and it is used religiously hence they have both symbolic and religious significance. The paintings belong to a living tradition and the picture shows that the painting technique has not changed. A monastery painting is a clear representation of heritage preservation and it trains people to the highest standards that will help them join the international conservation community and hence contribute to wider exchanges and experiences. The picture has shown how western conservators have become more creative and imaginative and appreciate that the ethical standards are designed basically for western art. “The picture has adapted to the Code of Ethics taking into consideration of living monastic heritage” (Jing, 33). How can we believe anything we see anymore? With the current technological status, people can do anything they want with images. People can change the color, texture, background and general elements of an image from its original. With the invention of motion pictures, and TV, the public have realized that not every picture they are seeing is necessarily factual in its depiction of reality. The result of the picture (painted monasteries) was more true to the reality of the scene and the way it really looked than a single exposure could have captured. I think the photographer is very honest in his work because he actually used the picture to represent the culture of the native country population. The needs of the viewers are met in this picture simple because the photographer is empathetic with the subject which is to show the beautiful heritage of Romanian people. In addition to adhering to photography laws and regulations, I think the photographer have applied the following ethics: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence (he does good while he makes sure he doesn’t hurt anyone), fidelity (because his photo represent the real situation) and justice (his is photographing communities and people with the same respect). Cultural perspective The culture of bargain is strong when in Romania. If you plan to visit, then be prepared to bargain. Most monasteries are loving people and as a visitor you will be welcomed well. The larger urban monasteries are purposely established to receive tourist and entrance fee is well in place. The visitors may not be accepted during retreat time. When entering Voronet Monastery, it is appropriate to wear modest clothing that are not revealing. Make sure to remove your hat but you may not always have to remove the shoes you are wearing. Smoking is highly discouraged next or in monastery according to Elo-Valente et al. (pg 64). The other interesting fact is that it is not common to stay at night unless in remote areas. All these cultural have been practiced since the establishment of the first Monastery. The picture is a true reflection of cultural heritage. True art is but the expression of the love of the nature and a true work of art is the development of love. This is what is expressed in this picture. Colorful realm stands out as the most comprehensive and dynamic expression of the natural world in all Romania’s art as indicated by the picture. Drawing upon the most current research on life in Bucovina and cultural environment, this picture offers a multifaceted understanding of the photographer’s virtuosity and experimentalism as a photographer. Critical Perspective From the cultural, ethical, historical and personal analysis, it is very clear that this picture is very interesting and critically executed. From the photograph, it is clear that the photographer was professional on his work hence the high quality picture. The picture is well balanced and is well situated. From the picture you can tell historical stories about Monasteries with or without saying a word. The picture is entertaining, persuading and educating in nature. The painting is just fantastic and that is reflected in the below picture. One color is featured heavily at the Voronet Monastery, and it has come to be known as Voronet blue. There are other painted monasteries in Romania such as; Humor Monastery, Patrauti Church, Moldovita Monastery, Arbore Monastery, Probota Monastery, Sucevita Monastery and Saint George’s Church. “These interesting images became well known to the art world after an article in the Smithsonian Magazine in 2007” (Bolman, et al. 45). Today, a revitalized interest in these incredible frescoes has attracted many visitors to Romania. Painted Monasteries: THE VORONET MONASTERY Location: http://www.destination360.com/europe/romania/images/s/painted-monasteries.jpg Type: JPEG Image Size: 112.92 KB (115,635 bytes) Dimensions: 553px ? 715px (scaled to 415px ? 537px) Associated Text: Painted Monasteries The photographer: Dinu Lazar Dinu Lazar is a Romanian graphic designer and photographer. His designs and photographs, acclaimed worldwide, have appeared in many periodicals in photo albums and other many works. His works are published in numerous famous papers together with such publications as USA Today, Washington Post, and New York Times. References Bolman, Elizabeth S, and Patrick Godeau. Monastic Visions: Wall Paintings in the Monastery of St. Antony at the Red Sea. New Haven [u.a.: Yale Univ. Press, 2002. Print. Elo-Valente, Maarit, Alfeo Tonellotto, and Ignazio Valente. Bucovina: A Travel Guide to Romania's Region of Painted Monasteries. Helsinki: Metaneira, 2005. Print. Jing, Anning. The Water God's Temple of the Guangsheng Monastery: Cosmic Function of Art, Ritual and Theater. Leiden: Brill, 2001. Print. Rodley, Lyn. Cave Monasteries of Byzantine Cappadocia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print. Tapon, Francis. The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us. Burlingame, Calif.: WanderLearn Press, 2012. Print. Vorhees, Mara. Eastern Europe. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet, 2009. Print. Read More